PaceSetter Book

Officiating 10

10.2.2 Timekeeper Timekeepers should be positioned on the extension of the finishing line set slightly back from the outside lane of the track. a) When timekeeping it is important to have a clear vision of the starting area and be able to observe the competitors from the moment they are called to their marks. b) Avoid distractions by field events, conversation or wandering bodies. c) Start the watch when a flash or smoke is seen from the gun. d) As the young athletes approach the finish , concentration should be fixed on the line, keeping the runners out of focus. e) The torso of the young athlete must cut the vertical plane of the finishing line before the watch of the position being timed is stopped. f) The watch is set back to zero only after the time has been recorded by the Chief Timekeeper. 10.2.3 Starter’s Assistant The obvious duty of the Starter’s Assistant is to help the starter who is completely in charge of the start of each race and the assistant's responsibilities include the following: 1) Marshalling the young athletes. 2) Grouping the young athletes into heats if they have not been decided beforehand. 3) Ensuring young athletes are correctly attired. 4) Ensuring young athletes have their numbers pinned correctly to their running vests. 5) Ensuring young athletes are in the correct lanes for the start of the race. 6) Ensuring young athletes keep their fingers (crouch start) or toes (standing start) behind the start line. 7) Assisting the starter to observe any infringements or false starts. 10.2.4 Field Judge There are many different roles within field judging because of the number of different field events and because each event has its own individual set of rules. Knowledge and understanding of these rules is a very important part of field judging. Therefore it is highly probable that an inexperienced field judge will not carry out decision making tasks and is more likely to be covering such duties as raking sandpits, replacing the high jump bar or collecting throwing implements. The safety of the athletes and judges is of paramount importance in field events, especially throwing, and therefore the judge should remain vigilant at all times. WEB COPY ©EVEQUE WEB COPY ©EVEQUE

177